My View

[firebrush]

This piece has had many peregrinations and long pauses. I'm becoming more happy with it, but it still needs that magic something to give it birth. any magicians out there?

[jumper]

I'm afraid I'm not one who can help. But I like what you have done. The only thing that comes to my mind is maybe find something to give it the depth that it implies. I'm new, so take this with a grain of salt.

[davefriend]

potential here although brooding in tone it has some nice linework emerging and as Jumper mentioned there is a sense of depth indication. It is like an opening to somewhere. I think the window needs to be played up.

Not excited about the brown but could be a good under toning. I am seeing the brown surround in terms of a truncated pyramid as you would be looking down on it and through the window if that makes any sense to you. I'd pass over my eyeballs so you could look through them but I'm confident yours are just as good as mine! LOL jumping over the design blocker wall is always fun!

Acrylic, oils? What size are you working on?

[Eraethil]

It's hard to know what exactly to suggest, but I'm thinking that the whole piece is middle values. That is where I'd recommend focusing next.

I remember reading recently that when you feel stuck it may be time to paint over a section of detail to remove your preconceptions and free you up. That may be an option worth trying if you are feeling well and truly stuck.

Cheers,
Rick.

[audioblack]

I really don't have any suggestions either, but I do love where it's going!

[firebrush]

Thank you all for commenting. Dave and Rick, your suggestions are just the sort of thing I need to meditate on as the work continues. Ill put the painting up on the wall and stare at it as I ponder these ideas. Thanks again. lloyd ps. fortunately the background "brown" is not as dark as in the photo. Its really transparent gold oxide and transparent orange oxide over naples yellow and titan buff. 16 x 20" on canvas board.

[Sean T.]

Too new to the painting world to suggest anything. I can say as an observer, I like the background and the box, but they work best separately, almost like two different paintings. There is nothing unifying them, or, for that matter, highlighting their contrast. I like the window idea put forth earlier. Maybe make the box area into some kind of window?